Timer having an adjustable time interval and a rapid advance



G. A. DOTTO March 12, 1968 TIMER HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE TIME INTERVAL AND A RAPID ADVANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1966 INVENTOR. F143. 2 GIANNI A. DOTTO ATTORNEY March 12, 1968 -r0 3,372,597

TIMER HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE TIME INTERVAL AND A RAPID ADVANCE Filed Feb. 16, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG I INVENTOR.

GIANNI A. DOTTO ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,372,597 TllVIER HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE TIME INTERVAL AND A RAPID ADVANQE Gianni A. Dotto, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 527,899 Claims. (Cl. 74-352) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A timer having an intermittent driving mechanism consisting of a subinterval switching means with an adjustable time interval and a rapid advance. The timer has a single drive mechanism for step advancing the timer through the programmed timing cycle at predetermined time intervals and for rapidly advancing the timer through certain cycles or to a particular cycle.

The present invention relates to timers and more particularly to the means and methods for providing a timer having an adjustable time interval and a rapid advance.

Present-day timers of the type having a plurality of control cams mounted on a camshaft so as to be rotated thereby and a plurality of control switches operated by said control cams usually have a fixed time interval for advancing said control cams. The time interval is obtained by a mechanical escapement mechanism, commonly called an intermittent drive mechanism, which is driven by a constant speed motor. A typical escapement mechanism has a driven cam which intermittently displaces a follower arm so as to store energy in a spring. As the cam is rotated farther, the follower arm is released and the energy stored in the spring is used to impart a snap action rotational motion to the camshaft of the timer. The time interval of the escapement mechanism is determined by the rotational speed of the driven cam.

One problem with escapement mechanisms as previously described is that the time interval for advancing the camshaft is fixed and cannot be easily changed. In a timer application, it is often desirable to have more than one time interval for advancing the timer through the programmed timing cycle. Longer timer intervals are advantageous for the phases of the cycle which are relatively long and shorter time intervals are advantageous for the phases of the cycle which are relatively short.

Another problem with timer escapement mechanisms is that there is a limit as to how much out-put torque can be applied to the camshaft if a typical timer motor and escapement mechanism are used. Thus, there is a limit to the number of control switches which can be operated.

Another problem with timer escapement mechanisms is that a rapid advance feature for advancing the timer through certain cycles or to a particular cycle cannot be obtained without the addition of a separate drive means, including a motor. Thus, the timer must have two motors, one for driving the escapement mechanism and one for driving the rapid advance mechanism.

Accordingly, there is presented in this specification a timer having an intermittent driving mechanism with an adjustable time interval and a rapid advance feature. The timer of the present invention has a single drive mechanism for step advancing the timer through the pro grammed timing cycle at predetermined time intervals and for rapidly advancing the timer through certain cycles or to a particular cycle.

There is only one motor for driving the timer of the present invention. The size of this motor can be chosen on the basis of torque requirements. Thus, any number of control switches can be operated.

3,372,597 Patented Mar. 12, 1968 The various features and advantages of the timer of the present invention will become apparent as this specification progresses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a timer having an intermittent driving mechanism with an adjustable time interval for step advancing the control cams and a rapid advance feature for rapidly advancing the control cams through a portion of the programmed timing cycle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for adjusting the time interval of an intermittent driving mechanism for a timer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of intermittently operated switches for determining a selected time interval for step advancing a timer.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a rapid advance mechanism for a timer which utilizes a worm and worm gear linkage for coupling the drive motor to the camshaft of the timer.

The present invention, in another of its aspects, relates to novel features of the instrumentalities described herein for teaching the principal object of the invention and to the novel principles employed in the instrumentalities whether or not these features and principles may be used in the said object and/ or in the said field.

Other objects of the invention and the nature thereof will become apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein like reference numbers describe elements of similar function therein and wherein the scope of the invention is determined rather from the dependent claims.

For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the timer of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the timer of the present invention showing the driving means for the camshaft of the timer and the timing mechanism.

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the timer of the present invention showing the timing mechanism disengaged from the driving means for the camshaft.

'FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the drive motor and the worm and worm gear stage that is associated therewith.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation of the clutch in coupling the drive motor to the camshaft and the timing mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation of the rotary member (timing disc) of the timing mechanism.

FIGURE 7 is a an exploded perspective view of the worm and the cam that are coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor.

Generally speaking, the present invention is a timer comprising: a plurality of cams mounted on a camshaft so as to be rotated thereby; a plurality of control switches mounted on said timer so as to be operated by rotation of said cams; a driving means; means for coupling said as to be contacted to a second contact member by an associated switch actuator on said rotary member; first circuit means for selectively connecting said first contact members of said switches to said electrically operated means, thereby selecting a particular time interval for energizing said electrically operated means; and second circuit means for connecting said second contact members of said switches to a power source for said electrically operated means.

The present invention is also an intermittent driving mechanism for a rotary timer comprising: a driving means; means for coupling said driving means to rotating elements of said timer, said coupling means including a normally disengaged clutch; a rotary member having a plurality of switch actuators located thereon, said rotary member being disengageably coupled to said driving means; means for returning said rotary member to a predetermined starting position when said rotary member is disengaged from said driving means; electrically operated means for intermittently disengaging said rotary member from said driving means and engaging said normally disengaged clutch; a plurality of switches for energizing said electrically operated means, each of said switches having a first contact member disposed so as to be contacted to a second contact member by an associated switch actuator on said rotary member; first circuit means for selectively connecting said first contact members of said switches to said electrically operated means, thereby selecting a particular time interval for energizing said electrically operated means; and second circuit means for connecting said second contact member of said switches to a power source for said electrically operated means.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to the perspective View of FIGURE 1, the structure and operation of the present invention can be discussed in conjunction with the following description.

The main structural member of the timer of the present invention is the metallic plate 10. The sole driving means for the timer of the present invention is the motor 11 which is secured to the plate by means of the studs 12 and nuts 13. In the illustrative embodiment, the motor 11 has a solenoid acting rotor. That is, upon the proper application of current to the stator windings, the rotor will move axially in the direction of the plate 10. It has been found that this action can be accomplished by having a center tapped stator coil and a switching means for applying voltage to either the center tap or an end tap. Another method for accomplishing the solenoid action of the rotor is by switching a resistor in series with the stator coil.

There is a cam 14 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 11 so as to be rotated thereby. When the rotor shaft is moved axially, the cam 14 moves with the shaft. There is a worm 15 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 11 and journalled in a bent up portion 16 of the plate 10; The worm 15 is coupled to the output shaft. so as to be rotated when the motor 11 is energized but it is fixed axially with respect to the output shaft. The specific means of coupling the worm 15 to the cam 14 will be discussed in conjunction with FIGURE 7.

The worm 15 is engaged with and drives the worm gear 17 when the motor 11 is energized. The worm gear 17 is secured to a first portion 19' of the split shaft 19 so as to impart rotation thereto. There is a worm 18 integrally formed on the first portion 19' of the split shaft 19 which rotates with the worm gear 17. A second portion 20 of the split shaft 19 is joined to the first portion 19' of the split shaft 19 by means of the clutch 21. There is a worm 22 integrally formed on the second portion 20'of the split shaft 19 which is engaged with and drives the worm gear 23 which rotates the camshaft 24 of the timer through the one-way clutch means 25.

The timing mechanism which establishes the time interval for the timer is mounted on the member 26 which is pivoted on the plate 10 at the point 27 so as to be moved in the direction of the arrow 48 by the cam 14. The gear 28 is rotatably mounted on the member 26 and is engaged with and driven by the pinion gear 29 which is mounted on the worm gear 30 so as to be rotated thereby. The worm gear 30 is rotatably mounted on the plate 10 and is engaged with and driven by the worm 18.

There is a spring 31 which is a means for biasing the member 26 so that the gear 28 will be engaged with the pinion 29 and so that the clutch 21 will not be actuated to couple the first portion 19' of the split shaft 19 to the second portion 20 of the split shaft 19. The operation of the clutch 21 and the member 26 will be discussed in conjunction with FIGURE 5.

There is a rotary member 32 mounted with the gear 28 so as to rotate therewith. (The relationship of the gear 28 to the rotary member 32 is shown more clearly in FIG- URE 6.) There are four switch actuators 33, 34, 3S and 55 radially spaced about the rotary member 32 so as to operate the switches 36, 37, 38 and 54. (The actuator 55 is not shown in FIGURE 1.) The switch 36 is actuated by the actuator 33, the switch 3'7 is actuated by the actuator 34, the switch 54 is actuated by the actuator 55, and the switch 38 is actuated by the actuator 35. The switches 36, 37, 3? and 54 are held in the insulating block 39.

There is a spring means 40 anchored in the hole 41 and secured to the gear 28 for returning the rotary member 32 to a zero position when the gear 28 is disengaged from the pinion gear 29. The configuration and operation of the spring means 4% will be discussed in conjunction with,

FIGURE 6.

There is a rotary member 42 mounted on the pinion gear 22$ so as to be rotated thereby. There are two actuators 43 and 44 radially located on the rotary member 42 so as to operate the switches 45 and 46. The actuator 43 operates the switch 45 and the actuator 44 operates the switch 4-6. The switches 45 and 46' are held in the insulating block 47; The rotary member 42, actuators 43 and 44' and switches 45 and 46 comprise a subinterval switching means for the timer. A subinterval switching means is used to obtain electrical outputs at times other than when the camshaft 24 is being advanced at the regular time intervals.

The first portion 19 of the split shaft 19 and the second portion 20 of the split shaft 19 are journalled in the bent up tangs 49 and 50 in the plate 10. A detailed description of the split shaft 19 will be provided in conjunction with FIGURE 2.

Also shown in FIGURE 1 are the control earns 51 of the timer which are mounted on the camshaft 24, the control switches 52 which are operated by the control cams 51, and the terminal members 53 which are connected to the various control switches 52.

Referrin now to FIGURE 2, a top view of the timer of the present invention can be discussed.

FIGURE 2 shows the member 26 in a position where the gear 28 is engaged. with. the pinion gear 29. Hence, the rotary member 32 is being driven in the direction of the arrow 64 at a constant speedwith the gear 28. It can be seen that the bent up tang 56 is restraining the end 57 of the clutch 21 so as to prevent said clutch from coupling the first portion 19' of the split shaft 19 to the second portion 20 of the split shaft 19. It can also be seen that the first portion 19 ofthe split shaft 19 has a reduced portion 58 which extends into an axially located bore 59 in the second portion 20 of the split shaft 19.

The one-way clutch 25 which couples the worm gear 23 to the camshaft 24 can take a. plurality of forms. In the illustrative embodiment the one-way clutch has a plurality of rollers 60 which are retained against an incline 61 by means of the spring 62. If the clutch 25 rotates in the direction of the arrow 63, the roller 69 will be wedged between the incline 61 and the camshaft 24 to stop the rotation. If the clutch-25 is rotated in a direction opposite to the arrow 63, the roller will roll freely on the shaft and will be held against the incline 61 by the spring 62. The purpose of the one-way clutch 25 is to permit manual rotation of the camshaft 24 in the direction of the arrow 63.

The clutch 21 which couples the two portions of the split shaft 19 can also take a plurality of forms.

In the illustrative embodiment, the clutch 21 is a helically coiled spring clutch, commonly called an LGS clutch. In a free position, the spring will grip both portions of the split shaft 19 so that they will be rotated together. When the end 57 of the spring 21 is restrained by the tang 56 the spring will be loose on the shaft. A more detailed description of this operation is provided in FIGURE 5.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, a second top view of the timer can be discussed.

FIGURE 3 shows the member 26 displaced in the direction of the arrow 48 so as to disengage the gear 28 from the pinion gear 29 and to permit the clutch 21 to couple the first portion 19 of the split shaft 19 to the second portion 20 of the split shaft 19.

When the member 26 is displaced in the direction of the arrow 48, the spring means 40 returns the gear 28 and the rotary member 32 in the direction of the arrow 65 to a zero position. The zero position of the rotary member 32 is the beginning of a time interval for the timer.

The switches 36, 37, 38 and 54 and the rotary member 32 with the actuators 33, 34, 35 and 55 comprise the aforementioned switching means for applying current to the stator of the motor 11 so as to cause the rotor to move axially towards the plate 10, thereby causing the member 26 to be displaced in the direction of the arrow 48. Therefore, selection of one of the switches 36, 37, 38 and 54 will determine a time interval for the timer. The duration of the time interval is determined by the rotational speed of the rotary member 32 and the location of the actuator associated with the selected switch.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a sectional view 4-4 taken from FIGURE 2 can be discussed.

When the motor 11 is energized through the center tap 68 and the end tap 69, the output shaft 67, which is integral with the rotor of said motor, rotates in the direction of the arrow 72 shown on the cam 14. The cam 14 is mounted on the output shaft 67 so as to be rotated thereby. When the motor is energized through the center tap 63 and the end tap 70, the rotor will not only rotate but will move axially in the direction of the arrow 71. When the rotor is extended axially in the direction of the arrow 71, the operating surface '73 of the cam 14 acts upon the end surface 74 of the member 26 to displace said member in the direction of the arrow 48. The spring means 66 will return the output shaft 67 (rotor of the motor 11) to its normal operating position when the motor 11 is again energized through the center tap 6S and the end tap 69.

The cam 14 and the worm rotate together but the cam 14 can move axially with respect to the worm 15. This feature is accomplished by means of a double-D shafLarrangement which will be discussed in conjunction with FIGURE 7.

Although the illustrative embodiment describes the use of a solenoid acting motor 11 to displace the member 26 at given time intervals and upon the operation of an electrical switching means, it is obvious that a separate solenoid could be used to displace the member 26. If a separate solenoid was used, the motor 11 could be a simple shaded pole motor. It is for this reason that the cam 14 and the rotor of the motor 11 will be referred to as an electrically operated means for displacing the member 26.

Dotted outline of the cam 14, the member 26, and the rotor are provided in FIGURE 4 to show the relative movement of these parts when the rotor moves axially.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a sectional view 55 taken from FIGURE 2 can be discussed.

As stated previously, the end 57 of the clutch 21 is restrained by the bent up tang 56 of the member 26 so as to normally prevent the clutch from gripping the split shaft 19. When the member 26 is displaced in the direction of the arrow 75, the end 57 will be released to rotate in the direction of the arrow 75, thereby gripping the split shaft 19 until the end is restrained again by the tang 56. The dotted outlines of the end 57, the tang 54, and the member 26 are provided in FIGURE 5 to show the relative movement of these parts.

If the member 26 is returned immediately to its normal position, the end 57 of the clutch 21 and, consequently, the split shaft 19 can only make one revolution. Thus, one revolution of the split shaft 19 will provide one advancement for the camshaft 24 of the timer.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, a view showing the means for returning the rotary member 32 to zero after each time interval can be discussed.

The rotary member 32 is mounted about the shaft 78 which is anchored in the member 26. The gear 28 is held to the rotary member 32 by means of the washer 79, the spring washer 80, and the locking ring 82 so as to permit said gear to slip on the shoulder 81 of the rotary member 32 when the portion 83 of the spring 40 strikes the stop member 84. The gear 28 is permitted to slip on the shoulder 81 after the portion 83 hits the stop member 84 until the member 26 is displaced to permit the spring 40 to return the rotary member 32 to the aforementioned zero position. Thus, an infinitely long time interval can be obtained merely by connecting the switches 36, 37,. 38 and 54 so that the rotor of the motor 11 will not act as a solenoid to displace the member 26.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, an exploded perspective showing the cooperative arrangement of the worm 15 and the cam 14 can be discussed. As stated previously, the worm 15 rotates with the cam 14 but the cam 14 is free to move axially with respect to the worm. The axial movement of the cam 14 is permitted by the double-D coupling consisting of the double-D male 85 and the double-D female 86.

FIGURE 7 also shows more clearly the contour of the operating surface 73 which displaces the member 26.

With the above description of components in mind, and by making reference to the drawing figures, the following analysis of operation will serve to convey the functional details of the present invention.

As stated previously, the timer of the present invention has an adjustable time interval for intermittently advancing the camshaft 24 through the programmed timing cycle and a rapid advance.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it can be seen that when the rotary member 32 starts rotating from the zero position, the switches 36, 37, 38 and 54 will be operated at various times depending on the location of the actuators 33, 34, 35 and 55 associated with said switches and the rotational speed of the rotary member 32. Thus, in the illustrative embodiment, four different time intervals can be obtained merely by selectively connecting one of the four switches 36, 37, 38 and 54 to the stator of the motor 11.

The rotary member 32 is driven at a constant speed by the motor 11 through the worm 15, worm gear 17, worm 18, worm gear 30, pinion gear 29 and gear 28 as long as the gear 28 and pinion gear 29 are engaged. The gear 28 and pinion gear 29 are disengaged when the member 26 is displaced by the cam 14 which is on the output shaft of the motor 11. Thus, the member 26 is displaced every time the selector switch 36, 37, 38 or 54 applies current to the stator winding of the motor 11 so as to cause the rotor of said motor to move axially in the direction of the plate 10.

When the member 26 is displaced in the direction of the arrow 48, the clutch 21 grips the split shaft 19 so that the camshaft 24 is driven by the motor 11 through the worm 15, worm gear 17, clutch 21, worm 22, worm gear 23, and the one-way clutch 25. When the member 26 is permitted to return to its normal position, the clutch 21 is operated to release the split shaft 19. When the member 26 is displaced and the gear 28 is disengaged from the pinion gear 29, the rotary member 32 is returned to a zero position. Thus, the rotary member 32 always starts from a zero position to obtain a constant time interval.

If the member 26 is held in a displaced position, the camshaft 24 will continually be driven by the motor 11. Thus, a rapid advance can be obtained merely by holding the member 26 in a dis-placed position until the car shaft is rotated to'the desired position.

The timer of the present invention, as hereinbefore described in one of its embodiments, is merely illustrative and not exhaustive in scope. Since many widely different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interposed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A timer comprising: a plurality of cams mounted on a camshaft so as to be rotated thereby; a plurality of control switches mounted on said timer so as to be operated by rotation of said cams; a driving means; means for coupling said driving means to said camshaft, said coupling means including a normally disengaged clutch; a rotary member having a plurality of switch actuators located thereon, said rotary member being disengageably coupled to said driving means; means for returning said rotary member to a predetermined starting position when said rotary member is disengaged from said driving means; electrically operated means for intermittently disengaging said rotary m mber from said driving means and engaging said normally disengaged clutch; a plurality of switches for energizing said electricaliy operated means, each of said switches having a first contact member disposed so as to be contacted to a second contact member by an associated switch actuator on said rotary member; first circuit means for selectively connecting said first contact members of said switches to said electrically operated means, thereby selecting a particular time interval for energizing said electrically operated means; and second circuit means for connecting said second contact mem bers of said switches to a power source for said electrically operated means.

2. A timer as in claim 1 wherein said driving means is a solenoid acting motor having an axially moveable output shaft when said-motor is energized by one of said switches, said output shaft having a cam means for intermittently displacing a pivotal member, said pivotal member being a means for disengaging said rotary member from said driving means and engaging said normally disengaged clutch.

3. A timer as in claim 1 wherein there is a switch actuating means coupled to said. driving. means so as to be driven at a substantially constant speed and a plurality of switches disposed so as to be intermittently operated by said switch actuating means.

4. A timer as in claim 1 wherein said clutch is a helically coiled spring adapted to couple two portions of a split shaft when engaged by said electrically operated means.

5. A timer as in claim 1 wherein said rotary member is adapted to be rotated by a gear, said gear being disengageably coupled to a pinion gear, said pinion gear being adapted to rotate with a first worm gear, said first Worm gear being engaged with and driven by a first worm, said first worm being adapted to rotate with a second worm gear, said second worm gear being engaged with and driven by a second worm, said second worm being coupled to an output shaft of said driving means so as to be rotated thereby.

6. A timer as in claim 1 wherein there is a means for continuously engaging said clutch so as to couple said camshaft to said driving means, thereby rapidly advancing said camshaft to a predetermined starting point.

7. A timer as in claim 6 wherein said means for continuously engaging said clutch is a switching means for continuously energizing said electrically operated means.

8. A timer as in claim It wherein said means for returning said rotary member to a predetermined starting position is a spring means.

9. A timer comprising: a plurality of cams mounted on a camshaft so as to be rotated thereby; a plurality of control switches mounted so as to be operated by rotation of said cams; a solenoid acting motor having an axially moveable rotary output shaft; means for coupling said output shaft to said camshaft, said coupling means including a clutch; a spring loaded cam follower member having a means thereon for maintaining said clutch in a normally disengaged condition, said cam follower member being pivotally mounted on said timer; a rotary member having a plurality of switch actuators located thereon, said rotary member being mounted on said cam follower member so as to be disengageably coupled to said output shaft; a cam means for displacing said cam follower member, thereby engaging said clutch and disengaging said rotary member from said output shaft, said cam means being mounted on said output shaft so as to displace said cam follower member when said output shaft is moved axially by said motor; a spring means for returning said rotary member to a predetermined starting position when said rotary member is disengaged from said output shaft; a plurality of switches for energizing said motor so as to axially move said output shaft, each of said switches having a first contact member displaced so as to be contacted to a second contact member by an associated switch actuator on said rotary member; first circuit means for selectively connecting said first contact members of said switches to said motor, thereby selecting a particular time interval for axially moving said output shaft; and second circuit means for connecting said second contact member of said switches to a power source for said motor.

10. An intermittent driving mechanism for a rotary timer comprising: a driving means; means for coupling said driving means to rotating elements of said timer, said coupling means including a normally disengaged clutch; a rotary member having a plurality of switch actuators located thereon, said rotary member being disengageably coupled to said driving means; means for returning said rotary member to a predetermined starting position when said rotary member is disengaged from said driving means; electrically operated means for intermittently disengaging said rotary member from said driving means and engaging said normally disengaged clutch; a plurality of switches for energizing said electrically operated means, each of said switches having a first contact member disposed so as to be contacted to a second contact member by an associated switch actuator on said rotary member; first circuit means for selectively connecting said first contact members of said switches to said electrically operated means, thereby selecting a particular time interval for energizing said electrically operated means; and second circuit means for connecting said second contact member of said switches to a power source for said electrically operated means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,214,529 10/1965 Druseikis et a1. 74--3.52

FRED C. MATTERN, In, Primary Examiner.

W. S. RATLIFF, Assistant Examiner. 

